Ice creeper



July 14, 1936.

J. E. OSTRANDER ICE CREEPER Filed Jan. 2, 1934 JZEIOsZTdn def Patented July 14, 1936 c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to ice creepers and is an improvement over the invention comprised in my Patent No. 1,208,823, which issued on December 19, 1916.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved ice creeper which can be attached to the bottom of any boot or shoe and which is so constructed that it will readily conform to the configuration of the shoe bottom.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved harness or attaching means for the creeper so as to more readily hold the creeper in place on the shoe.

The above and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in part be described and in part be understood from the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a detail view of a shoe partly turned over showing a-creeper constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation of the shoe having the creeper mounted thereon.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the creeper removed from the shoe.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter S designates generally the sole of a conventional shoe or boot. An ice creeper, in the form of a toggle, is disposed on the bottom S, and this toggle T comprises a pair of forward links I and II, which are pivotally secured together as by a pivot I3, and this pivot I3 has a tang I2 integral therewith which is adapted to extend below the sole S.

A pair of rear links I4 and I5 are secured to the forward links I0 and II, respectively by means of pivotal members I6 and I1, respectively,.which are of similar construction to the rivet I3, and are each provided with a tang I8 and I9, respectively. The rear convergent ends of the links I4 and I5 are secured together as by a pivotal member 20. A bar 2I engages the pivot 20 and is provided with a loop 22 through which a strap 23 of an attaching harness is adapted to engage.

A pair of L-shaped toggle attaching members 24 are secured as by rivets 25 to the forward links of the toggle T and the attaching members 24 are disposed with one leg thereof substantially horizontal and the other leg 26 vertical and engaging over the edge of the shoe sole S. This vertical leg 26 is provided with a looped strap 21 secured as by a rivet 28 and a ring 29 engages in the eye of the strap 21.

A flexible strap 30 engages the opposing eyes 29 of the attaching members 24 and constitutes a toe strap so as to hold the forward portion of the toggle T against rearward movement.

The rivets or pivotal members 25 are also each provided with tangs 3I and the rear links I4 and I5 are also provided intermediate their ends with tangs 32. The instep strap 23 of the ankle harness is provided at each end thereof with a double loop member 33 and an ankle strap 34 provided with a buckle 35 engages the double loops 33 being wrapped about the rear portion of the shoe adjacent the ankle and passed through the double loops 33 after the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2 and then passed over the top of the instep so that the tightening of the strap 34 will draw the instep strap 23 upwardly, and this pulling action will place a strain or tension in a rearward direction on the toggle T so that the toggle T will be held in a fixed position on the bottom of the sole S. The links comprising the toggle T are each bent longitudinally and are also of a relatively flexible construction so that they will readily conform to the configuration of the bottom of the shoe S and in this manner, the creeper will not be cumbersome or uncomfortable on the bottom of the shoe.

In the use of the creeper herein disclosed, the toggle T is disposed on the bottom of the shoe S with the attaching members 24 engaging the outer edges of the shoe sole and the toe strap is then tightened so as to hold the toggle against rearward movement. The ankle strap 34 may then be tightened, which action will place a strain on the toggle T and in a rearward direction which is opposed by the toe strap and in this manner, the toggle T will be held in a fixed position. Due to the manner of attaching the links of the toggle together, the toggle will readily conform itself to different sizes of shoes and by reason of the curved construction of the links of the toggle, the toggle will contact substantially throughout its length and breadth with the sole of the shoe.

What is claimed is:-

A creeper as set forth comprising a toggle member adapted to underlie the sole of a shoe, a looped bar secured to the rear of said toggle member; said looped bar having one end thereof free, a pair of substantially L-shaped sole engaging members secured to the forward links of said toggle member intermediate the ends thereof, a looped strap carried by each of said sole engaging members, a ring in each strap, a toe strap engaging said rings, a shank strap passing through the loop of said bar, a loop carried by each end of said shank strap, and. an adjustable flexible ankle strap threaded through the loops of the shank strap and engaging about the ankle, the upper portion of the heel and the instep of a. shoe, said shank strap terminating at such a distance above the sole that the ankle strap passing through the shank strap loops inclines upwardly and rearwardly and upwardly and forwardly from said loops, and said loops being located in use rearwardly of the center of the shank strap.

JOHN E. OSTRANDER. 

